Gilbert Parkhouse

In the eyes of many people, Gilbert Parkhouse was one of the most graceful home-grown Glamorgan players. Offered a trial as a schoolboy by Gloucestershire, he opted to stay closer to home, and made his debut in 1948 (although he appeared for the county in wartime matches). Slight of build, Parkhouse was a sound batsman all round the wicket, and was also an outstanding slip fielder. Originally a No.3, he moved up to open in 1950 and made his Test debut against West Indies that summer, scoring a good 69 at Nottingham. He lost his place after two outings, but with 1742 runs that summer, he was included in the England squad to tour Australia in 1950-51. He had a wretched time, struggling with poor health and even worse form. He returned with something of a reputation as an underachiever, and solid county seasons throughout the 1950s failed to shift that. In 1959 he forced his way back with 2071 runs and played twice against India, making a career-best 78 on recall at Leeds, adding 146 for the first wicket with Geoff Pullar. He continued to play for Glamorgan until 1964, when after some niggling back injuries, he retired from county cricket, and took up a post as coach with Worcestershire and then Stewarts-Melville College in Edinburgh from 1966 until 1987.
Martin Williamson